MDPI World Architecture Day 2025: Architecture Design for Strength
Important Dates
- Registration end dateOct 06, 2025
Meet Our Speakers
Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome
University of Reading, UK;
Derek Clements-Croome worked in the building design and contracting industry before entering university life. He has founded and directed courses including a BSc in building environmental engineering at Loughborough University in 1970, and an interdisciplinary MSc in Intelligent Buildings at Reading University in 1996, covering design and management of intelligent buildings. He has also worked in architecture and building engineering at the university of Bath (1978-1988). His research is documented in his publications.
He now offers strategic advice to clients, designers and facilities managers on attaining and managing healthy and sustainable environments in buildings of all types. He researches, writes and lectures on these issues for companies and wider audiences nationally and internationally in China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Poland and Finland, in particular. Some of his books have been published in Chinese and Russian.
He edits and founded the Intelligent Buildings International Journal published by Taylor and Francis and is a Coordinator of CIB Commission W098 Intelligent and Responsive Buildings. Derek is also a Commissioner for Hammersmith and Fulham and Haringey, BEE for CABE arm of Design Council, Fellow of the BRE Academy and Fellow of Royal Society of Medicine.
Dr. Paris Fokaides
Frederick University, Cyprus;
Paris A. Fokaides is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Frederick University, Cyprus, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Sustainable Energy. He leads the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG), specializing in experimental and computational building physics, sustainable energy technologies, and the assessment of the sustainability and smartness of the built environment. His research portfolio spans over 60 EU- and nationally funded projects, with a focus on the energy performance of buildings, renewable energy integration, and life cycle assessment methodologies. Dr. Fokaides has been recognized among the world’s top 2% of most influential scientists in the field of energy.
Dr. Ehsan Harirchian
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany;
With a strong background in seismic vulnerability and natural hazard assessment of buildings, my current research explores the integration of AI and soft computing methods into sustainable materials—particularly aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC). I aim to bridge engineering and architecture by advancing intelligent, eco-conscious solutions for resilient infrastructure.
Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardi
Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy;
Dr. Berardi is the current President of the Canadian Acoustical Association and of the International Association of Building Physics (IABP).
Dr. Berardi served as the Canada Research Chair in Building Science and Full Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Canada, before returning to his alma mater, the Politecnico di Bari where he directs the BeTOP center. His main research interests are related to the study of innovative solutions and new materials for improving the performance within the built environment. Dr. Berardi has an extensive publication record, including 200 peer-reviewed journals, 200 international conference papers, and ten books.
Created by the UIA in 1985, World Architecture Day is celebrated each year on the first Monday of October. Under the 2025 theme “Design for Strength”, the UIA calls on architects around the world to look beyond short-term solutions and embrace approaches that reinforce the ability of the built environment to withstand, adapt, and be rebuilt. MDPI invited Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome from University of Reading, Dr. Paris Fokaides from Frederick University, Dr. Ehsan Harirchian from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardito from Polytechnic University of Bari to share their insights.
Date: 06 October 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. EDT| 10:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 874 6114 8686
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
In this section, you will find the recordings of this webinar to watch, re-watch and share with your colleagues!
“Advances in Structural Engineering Using AI and Sustainable Materials”
Topic Editors: Dr. Ehsan Harirchian and Dr. Viviana Novelli
Abstract submission deadline: 20 March 2026
Manuscript submission deadline: 20 May 2026
“Sustainable and Resilient Affordable Housing in Architecture Design and Urban Plans”
A special issue of Urban Science. You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Buildings.
Guest Editors: Dr. Giovanna Mangialardi and Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardi
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2026
“Building's Vulnerability Assessment against Natural Hazards by Using Modern Computational Techniques”
A topical collection in Buildings.
Collection Editors: Prof. Dr. Tom Lahmer, Dr. Ehsan Harirchian and Dr. Viviana Novelli
“Land Planning and Landscape Architecture”
A section of Land.
Section Editor-in-Chief:Prof. Dr. Thomas Panagopoulos